Hugh Freeze Eager to Unleash Former Five-Star Safety Jacoby Mathews as Auburn Aims to Strengthen Secondary with Transfer Addition
When Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze talks about building a championship-caliber football team, his focus is often on toughness, speed, and high football IQ—especially on defense. That’s why the addition of former Texas A&M safety Jacoby Mathews via the transfer portal is more than just another offseason roster move. It’s a potential game-changer. And Freeze is clearly excited to give the talented defensive back “a chance” to make an immediate and lasting impact on the Plains.
Mathews, a former five-star recruit out of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, was one of the most highly coveted safeties in the 2022 recruiting class. At 6-foot-2 and over 200 pounds, he brings an imposing physical presence, sharp instincts, and SEC experience that make him one of the more intriguing additions to Auburn’s defense ahead of the 2024 season. For Freeze, the opportunity to integrate a player with Mathews’ skill set and upside into an evolving secondary is the kind of challenge he relishes.
Auburn’s defense, which showed flashes of excellence under defensive coordinator Ron Roberts last season, is in need of depth and versatility in the secondary. The Tigers struggled at times against high-powered offenses in 2023 and gave up too many big plays late in games. Adding a proven SEC safety like Mathews—someone who has faced elite competition and understands the physical demands of the conference—helps address that issue head-on.
What makes Mathews’ arrival especially intriguing is the potential for immediate impact. While he played two seasons at Texas A&M, he never quite found a consistent role within the Aggies’ complex defensive schemes. He showed flashes of brilliance, including several games where his ability to cover ground and deliver big hits stood out, but he was often rotated or used situationally. That inconsistency in usage may have prompted his decision to enter the transfer portal in search of a fresh start.
Freeze, ever the recruiter and culture builder, saw more than just an available athlete. He saw a competitor—a player who hadn’t yet scratched the surface of his ceiling and needed the right environment to thrive. From the moment Mathews entered the portal, Auburn’s staff began working on building a relationship rooted in transparency and opportunity. It wasn’t just about playing time; it was about fit, trust, and belief in what Auburn is building under Freeze’s watch.
Now that Mathews is officially on board, Freeze is wasting no time preparing him to contribute. According to sources close to the program, Mathews has already impressed in offseason workouts and meetings with his maturity, physicality, and film study habits. His transition into the locker room has also been seamless—a testament to both his character and Auburn’s culture of accountability.
For Freeze, the excitement stems from more than just potential—it’s about redemption and proving something. Freeze has long believed in giving players a second chance to rewrite their story. He did it with Bo Wallace at Ole Miss. He’s doing it now with several transfers who are hungry for an opportunity to show what they’re capable of. Mathews fits that mold perfectly: highly talented, slightly overlooked, and motivated to make the most of his fresh start.
The timing also aligns perfectly with Auburn’s defensive needs. The Tigers lost key contributors in the secondary from last season, and while younger players are expected to step up, adding a veteran like Mathews brings stability. He can play both safety spots and even drop into nickel packages if needed. That kind of flexibility allows Roberts to get creative with blitz packages and coverage schemes, giving Auburn a chance to be more aggressive on third down and in red-zone situations.
One of the more underrated aspects of Mathews’ game is his leadership. Though he’s only entering his third year of college football, he carries himself like a veteran. His experience in high-pressure SEC environments—both in hostile stadiums and on big stages—gives him credibility in the locker room. Younger defensive backs are already gravitating toward him, asking questions and learning from his approach to the game.
That influence extends to the practice field, where Mathews’ communication skills have been highlighted by coaches as a major asset. In modern college football, where offenses are faster and more complex than ever, having a safety who can recognize formations, make pre-snap adjustments, and get everyone lined up correctly is invaluable. That’s a trait Freeze and Roberts place a high premium on—and one they believe Mathews can deliver.
Freeze’s excitement about Mathews is also rooted in the broader narrative of Auburn’s rebuild. Every transfer addition is a piece of a larger puzzle. Freeze isn’t just stockpiling talent—he’s trying to build a roster that reflects his values: toughness, humility, hunger, and heart. Players like Mathews, who arrive with something to prove and a chip on their shoulder, fit that blueprint.
Moreover, the SEC is no longer a league where patience is rewarded. Teams need plug-and-play contributors to keep up with the arms race happening across the conference. Auburn doesn’t have the luxury of waiting two or three years for development at every position. That’s why bringing in experienced players who can contribute right away is essential—and why Mathews is such a critical addition.
Off the field, Mathews has also bought into what Freeze is preaching. The Auburn head coach has made it clear that this program is about more than football. It’s about shaping young men, developing leaders, and preparing players for life after the game. Mathews, whose journey has included both hype and hardship, seems to understand that. He’s embraced the culture, bonded with teammates, and bought into the off-field standards that Freeze holds dear.
There’s also a larger recruiting message at play. Freeze’s ability to land a former five-star from within the conference sends a message to future transfer targets: Auburn is a destination where talent can be revived, refined, and rewarded. It’s a place where players who feel overlooked or underutilized can find their voice and maximize their value—both in terms of on-field success and future NFL opportunities.
And make no mistake, Mathews still has NFL aspirations. With two years of eligibility remaining, he has plenty of time to showcase his ability to scouts and evaluators. But that starts with consistent production at Auburn. If he can put together a full season of smart, physical, and disciplined football, he’ll likely hear his name called on draft day. Freeze understands this—and is committed to helping Mathews reach that goal.
As preseason camp approaches, all eyes will be on how Mathews integrates into the Tigers’ defensive backfield. Will he secure a starting role out of the gate? Will he emerge as a tone-setter for a unit looking to establish a new identity? Freeze won’t rush the process, but he’s also not one to keep impact players on the bench. If Mathews performs, he’ll play—and play a lot.
The opportunity is there. The environment is right. And the belief from Freeze is strong.
That’s why Hugh Freeze is excited—not just to give Jacoby Mathews a chance, but to unleash him in a system that may finally allow him to fulfill the promise he showed as a high school phenom. If things click, this could be one of the most impactful transfer additions in recent Auburn memory—a win-win for both player and program.
